Nearly 43% of teens ages 13 to 17 reported gambling in the past year, according to a new Rutgers University study. Among all respondents ages 13 to 27, more than half reported gambling during that period.

The study, conducted by the Rutgers University School of Social Work, surveyed roughly 1,600 teens and young adults across the United States and examined participation in 21 different gambling activities.

Paul Tarbox, director of public policy and communications for the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, called the numbers concerning.

“Ideally, none of them should be gambling near those numbers, so it is kind of shocking that they’re reporting as high as they are,” Tarbox said.

Researchers also found that high-risk problem gambling was comparable among young men and women.

Black and Hispanic respondents reported the highest gambling percentages compared with white respondents, according to the study.

Prediction markets had the highest proportion of weekly participation among the gambling activities examined according to the study.

The findings come as prediction markets continue to gain visibility.

On Monday, the NBA announced a partnership with Kalshi and Polymarket as its preferred prediction market platforms.

Tarbox said Connecticut has a strong safety net for people experiencing problems with gambling, but much of that system is designed for adults.

“When you’re dealing with people under that age, it becomes a little tricky,” Tarbox said. “One, it’s a separate agency. It’s now DCF, so that’s something where we’d have to work with that agency.”

He said another concern is whether young people will feel comfortable asking for help.

“Sometimes kids are hesitant to seek help if their parents will be notified, and it’s definitely a robust discussion that needs to be had,” Tarbox said.

Dr. Sandip Khatri, a general psychiatrist at The Shores Mental Health, said parents should pay close attention to their teens’ behavior, particularly as young people encounter gambling and prediction-market platforms online.

“Gambling, just like any other substances, can activate the reward system and lead to obsessive behaviors despite the negative consequences,” Khatri said.

Khatri recommends parents watch for potential warning signs, including:

Secrecy around money

Unexpected spending habits

Changes in mood